Teacupsfull: Brewed to perfection

Tea lovers in NCR have a reason to cheer about their cup of tea. The millennium city Gurgaon is now home to its first tea boutique. Run by a Tea Planters family, it was started by veteran Goodricke Tea Planter N K Puri and former advertising professional, Shikha Puri.

"The family's history is almost as old as some of the tea estates in Darjeeling," recollects Puri. "My father moved to Darjeeling in the 1935. I have grown up in that region and joined the tea plantations in 1965. I have seen how the tea industry has evolved over the years. I remember planters would come on horsebacks from the estates on Friday evening to Planters Club and head back on Sunday evening after the weekend. Our knowledge and experience of the region has resulted in the brand 'Teacupsfull'."

The tea offered by 'Teacupsfull' is sourced from India's premier estates in Darjeeling, Assam and Sikkim. The company also deals in speciality tea.

According to N K Puri of 'Teacupsfull', there are a very few tea stores that sell speciality and single estate tea in the region. "Our Single Estate tea is from iconic estates where we have worked. Some of the junior colleagues who had worked under us are now heading and managing these estates. This assures us of the quality product from the estate."

Over the years, an increase in the consumption of green tea in India and globally has been witnessed. According to 'Teacupsfull', the demand for healthier alternates like organic tea, whites, oolong, and orthodox tea from Assam is also growing. 'Teacupsfull' is willing to tap this potential as the tea market is pegged at US$ 44 billion globally while the speciality tea market constitutes 1% of it.

'Teacupsfull' aims to bring the best speciality tea of India for the domestic as well as the global customers. While there are many portals that are selling tea, 'Teacupsfull' is selling the exclusive produce. This tea is superior in its taste, appearance and aroma; it is not like the main stream commercial brands that are available in retail stores. International stores like Harrods, Larsen and Thompson in Australia and Wisdom Tea House in the United States sell tea from iconic Darjeeling and Assam estates. Tea from other estates can be found in numerous tea rooms and boutiques abroad.

'Teacupsfull' sells 28 varieties of tea which start at about Rs 400 and goes up to Rs 2000 per 100 grams (for speciality teas). They are different as they do not sell tea that is available off the shelf. Each tea is selected after stringent selection. "First my colleagues give feedback and then it's tasted by my son who was a former Tea Taster with Duncans. Once we are convinced we buy the tea", says N K Puri of 'Teacupsfull'.

"Our tea is known for being "pure and natural". These are sold through the company's portal and are also available on leading market places like Amazon, Flipkart and Place of Origin. Our ingredients, cinnamon, jasmine, cardamom, tulsi, ginger are all natural and there are no added flavours," he added.

Shikha, Founder, Teacupsfull.com says, "Our brand is young and contemporary in its look, feel and packaging. The company is looking at increasing its customer base to 15,000 this year and to 30,000 next year. We are looking at expanding our supply through local online market places in Germany, US, UK, Japan and Australia in 2018."

"The company also specialises in customised gifts for corporates, Diwali, baby showers, wedding favours and other occasions. It is already working with wedding planners in India, UK, US and with select corporates globally. The company is bullish about their customised packing business and are already witnessing increased enquiries; we have fulfilled orders to Singapore, Dubai and the US since we started," added Shikha.

If you want to know about the region or the history of the estate from where your tea has been sourced, head to their store in DLF Phase 3, Gurgaon. You might be lucky enough to get a wealth of information about various kinds of tea.

The store also has a wide variety of tea accessories to compliment your tea; it is a treat for tea lovers and connoisseurs.